Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence

by Rev. Charles A. Goodrich, R.G.H. Huntington, 1841

THE RHODE ISLAND DELEGATION

STEPHEN HOPKINS

Stephen Hopkins was a native of that part of Providence which is now
called Scituate, where he was born on the 7th of March, 1707.
His parentage was very respectable, being a descendant of Benedict Arnold,
the first governor of Rhode Island.

His early education was limited, being confined to the instruction imparted
in the common schools of the country. Yet it is recorded of him, that he
excelled in a knowledge of penmanship, and in the practical branches of
mathematics, particularly surveying.

For several years he followed the profession of a farmer. At an early
period, he was elected town clerk of Scituate, and some time after was
chosen a representative from that town to the general assembly. He was
subsequently appointed a justice of the peace, and a justice of one of
the courts of common pleas. In 1733, he became chief justice of that court.

In 1742, he disposed of his estate in Scituate, and removed to Providence,
where he erected a house, in which he continued to reside till his death.
In this latter place he entered into mercantile business, and was extensively
engaged in building and fitting out vessels.

When a representative from Scituate, he was elected speaker of the house
of representatives. To this latter once he was again chosen after his removal
to Providence, and continued to occupy the station for several successive
years, being a representative from the latter town. In 1751, he was chosen
chief justice of the superior court, in which office he continued till
the year 1754.

In this latter year he was appointed a commissioner from Rhode Island,
to the celebrated convention which met at Albany; which had for its object
the securing of the friendship of the five nations of Indians, in the approaching
French war, and an union between the several colonies of America.

In 1756, he was elected chief magistrate of the colony of Rhode Island,
which office he continued to hold, with but fear intervals, until the year
1767. In the discharge of the duties of this responsible station, he acted
with dignity and decision. The prosperity of his country lay near his heart,
nor did he hesitate to propose and support the measures, which, appeared
the best calculated to promote the interests of the colonies in opposition
to the encroachments of British power.

At an early period of the difficulties between the colonies and Great
Britain, he took an active and decided part in favour of the former. In
a pamphlet, entitled, "The rights of colonies examined," he exposed the
injustice of the stamp act, and various other acts of the British government.
This pamphlet was published by order of the general assembly, in 1765.

The siege of fort William Henry, by the Marquis de Montcalm, 1757, and
its surrender to the force under that general, with the subsequent cruel
outrages and murders committed by the savages of the French army, are too
well known to need a recital in this place. It is necessary only to state,
that the greatest excitement prevailed throughout all the colonies. In
this excitement, the inhabitants of Rhode Island largely participated.
An agreement was entered into by a volunteer corps, couched in the following
terms:

"Whereas the British colonies in America are invaded by a large army
of French and Indian enemies, who have already possessed themselves of
fort William Henry, and are now on their march to penetrate further into
the country, and from whom we have nothing to expect, should they succeed
in their enterprise, but death and devastation; and as his majesty’s principal
officers in the parts invaded, have in the most pressing and moving manner,
called on all his majesty's faithful subjects, for assistance to defend
the country: – Therefore, we, whose names are underwritten, thinking it
our duty to do every thing in our power, for the defence of our liberties,
families, and property, are willing, and have agreed to enter voluntarily
into the service of our country, and go in a warlike manner against the
common enemy; and hereby call upon and invite all our neighbors, who have
families and property to defend, to join with us in this undertaking, promising
to march as soon as we are two hundred and fifty in number, recommending
ourselves and our cause to the favourable protection of Almighty God."

To this agreement, Mr. Hopkins was the first to affix his name, and
was chosen to command the company thus raised, which consisted of some
of the most distinguished men in Providence. Preparations for a speedy
departure for the field of action were made, but on the eve of their march,
intelligence arrived, that their services were no longer necessary, as
the progress of hostilities towards the south was not to be expected.

In 1774, Mr. Hopkins received the appointment of a delegate from Rhode
Island to the celebrated congress, which met at Philadelphia that year.
In this assembly he took his seat on the first day of the session, where
he became one of the most zealous advocates of the measures adopted by
that illustrious body of men.

In the year 1775 and 1776, he again represented Rhode Island in the
continental congress. In this latter year he had the honour of affixing
his name to the imperishable instrument, which declared the colonies to
be free, sovereign, and independent states. He recorded his name with a
trembling hand, the only instance in which a tremulous hand is visible
among the fifty-six patriots who then wrote their names. But it was in
this case only that the flesh was weak. Mr. Hopkins had for some time been
afflicted with a paralytic affection, which compelled him, when he wrote,
to guide his right hand with his left. The spirit of the man knew no fear,
in a case where life and liberty were at hazard.

In 1778, Mr. Hopkins was a delegate to congress for the last time. But
in several subsequent years, he was a member of the general assembly of
Rhode Island. The last year in which he thus served, was that of 1779,
at which time he was seventy-two years of age.

Mr. Hopkins lived to the 13th of July, 1785, when he closed
his long, and honourable and useful life, at the advanced age of 78. His
last illness was long, but to the period of his dissolution, he retained
the full possession of his faculties. A vast assemblage of persons, consisting
of judges of the courts, the president, professors and students of the
college, together with the citizens of the town, and inhabitants of the
state, followed the remains of this eminent man to his resting place in
the grave.

Although the early education of Mr. Hopkins was limited, as has already
been observed, the vigour of his understanding enabled him to surmount
his early deficiencies, and an assiduous application to the pursuit of
knowledge, at length, placed him among the distinguished literary characters
of the day. He delighted in literature and science. He was attentive to
books, and a close observer of mankind; thus he went on improving, until
the period of his death. As apublic speaker, he was always clear,
precise, pertinent, and powerful.

As a mathematician, Mr. Hopkins greatly excelled. Till in advanced age,
he was extensively employed in surveying lands. He was distinguished for
great exactness in his calculations, and an unusual knowledge of his business.

As a statesman and a patriot, he was not less distinguished. He was
well instructed in the science of politics; had an extensive knowledge
of the rights of his country, and proved himself, through a longer life
than falls to the lot of most men, an unshaken friend of his country, and
an enemy to civil and religious intolerance. He event to his grave honoured
as a skilfull legislator, a righteous judge, an able representative, a dignified
and upright governor. Charity was an inmate of his habitation. To the cry
of suffering his ear was ever open, and in the relief of affliction he
ever delighted.

WILLIAM ELLERY

William Ellery, the son of a gentleman of the same name, was born at
Newport, on the 22d day of December, 1727. His ancestors were originally
from Bristol, in England, whence they emigrated to America during the latter
part of the seventeenth century, and took up their residence at Newport,
in Rhode Island.

The early education of the subject of this memoir, was received almost
exclusively from his father, who was a graduate of Harvard university;
and who although extensively engaged in mercantile pursuits, found leisure
personally to cultivate the mind of his son. At the age of sixteen, he
was qualified for admission to the university, of which his father had
been a member before him. In his twentieth year, he left the university,
having sustained, during his collegiate course, the character of a faithful
and devoted student. In a knowledge of the Greek and Latin languages, he
is said to have particularly excelled, and through the whole bustle of
his active life, until the very hour of dissolution, he retained his fondness
for them.

On his return to Newport, he commenced the study of the law, and after
the usual preparatory course, he entered upon the practice, which for twenty
years he pursued with great zeal. During this period, no other particulars
have been recorded of him, than that he succeeded in acquiring a competent
fortune, and receiving the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens.

At an early period of the controversy between Great Britain and the
colonies, Rhode Island strongly enlisted herself in the patriotic cause.
She was not backward in expressing her disapprobation of the arbitrary
measures of the parent country. Indeed, it is doubtful whether Rhode Island
is not equally entitled, with Virginia and Massachusetts, to the honour
which they claim, of being earliest in the measures leading to the revolution.
Among the great scenes which led the way to actual resistance, two occurred
in Narragansset bay. The first of these was an attack by the people of Rhode
Island, upon the armed revenue sloop, Liberty, in the harbour of Newport,
June 17th, 1769. The second was the memorable affair of the
Gaspee, June 9th, 1772, and in which it may be said, was shed
the first blood in the revolution. This latter occurrence excited an unusual
alarm among the royal party in the provinces, and gave occasion to Governor
Hutchinson to address the following letter to Commodore Gambier: " Our
last ships carried you the news of the burning of the Gaspee schooner,
at Providence. I hope, if there should be another like attempt, some concerned
in it may be taken prisoners, and carried directly to England. A few punished
at execution dock, would be the only effectual preventive of any
further attempts."

By other acts did the people of Rhode Island, at an early period, evince
their opposition to the royal government. On the arrival in the year 1774
of the royal proclamation prohibiting the importation of fire arms from
England, they dismantled the fort at Newport, and took possession of forty
pieces of cannon. Again, on the occurrence of the battle of Lexington,
they simultaneously roused to the defence of their fellow citizens, in
the province of Massachusetts. Within three days after that memorable event,
a large number of her militia were in the neighbourhood of Boston, ready
to cooperate in measures either of hostility or defence. In the same year
she sent twelve hundred regular troops into the service, and afterwards
furnished three state regiments to serve during the war.

No sooner was the formation of a continental congress suggested, than
Rhode Island took measures to be represented in that body, and elected
as delegates two of her most distinguished citizens, Governor Hopkins and
Mr. Ward.

During these movements in Rhode Island, Mr. Ellery, the subject of this
notice, was by no means an idle spectator. The particular history of the
part which he took in these transactions is, indeed, not recorded; but
the tradition is, that he was not behind his contemporaries either in spirit
or action.

In the election for delegates to the congress of 1776, Mr. Ellery was
a successful candidate, and in that body took his seat, on the seventeenth
of May. Here, he soon became an active and influential member, and rendered
important services to his country, by his indefatigable attention to duties
assigned him, on several committees. During this session, he had the honour
of affixing his name to the declaration of independence. Of this transaction
he frequently spoke, and of the notice he took of the members of congress
when they signed that instrument. He placed himself beside secretary Thompson,
that he might see how they looked, as they put their names to their
death warrant. But while all appeared to feel the solemnity of the
occasion, and their countenances bespoke their awe, it was unmingled with
fear. They recorded their names as patriots, who were ready, should occasion
require, to lead the way to martyrdom.

In the year 1777, the marine committee of congress, of which Mr. Ellery
was a member, recommended the plan, and it is supposed, at his suggestion,
of preparing fire ships, and sending them out from the state of Rhode Island.
Of this plan, the journals of congress speak in the following terms:

"If upon due consideration, jointly had by the navy board for the eastern
department, and the governor and council of war for the state of Rhode
Island, and for which purpose the said navy board are directed to attend
upon the said governor and council of war, the preparing fire ships be
judged practicable, expedient, and advisable, the said navy board immediately
purchase, upon as reasonable terms as possible, six ships, or square rigged
vessels, at Providence, in the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations,
the best calculated for fire ships, with all possible expedition; that
the said navy board provide proper materials for the same, and employ a
proper captain or commander, one lieutenant, and a suitable number of men
for each of the said ships, or vessels, of approved courage and prudence;
and that notice be given to all the commanders of the continental ships
and vessels in the port of Providence, to be in readiness to sail at a
moment’s warning: that as soon as the said fire ships are well prepared,
the first favourable wind be embraced to attack the British ships and navy
in the rivers and bays of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations:
that the officers of the continental navy there, favour, as much as possible,
the design, and use their utmost efforts to get out to sea, and proceed
to such cruise, or to such ports, as the said navy board, or the marine
committee, shall appoint or order."

During the year that the British army under General Piggot took possession
of Newport, where they fortified themselves, and continued their head quarters
for some time, the inhabitants sustained much injury in their property.
Mr. Ellery shared in the common loss, his dwelling house being burned,
and other destruction of property occasioned.

Mr. Ellery continued a member of congress until the year 1785, and indeed,
through that year, when he retired to his native state. Soon after, however,
he was elected by congress, a commissioner of the continental loan office,
to which was subsequently added, by the citizens of Rhode Island, the office
of chief justice of their superior court, a station which he did not continue
to hold long. On the organization of the federal government, he received
from General Washington the appointment of collector of the customs for
the town of Newport, an once which he retained during the remainder of
his life.

On the 15th of February, 1820, this venerable man – venerable
for his age, which had been prolonged to ninety-two years, and. venerable
for the services which he had rendered his country, was summoned to his
account. His death was in unison with his life. He wasted gradually and
almost imperceptibly, until the powers of nature were literally worn out
by use. On the day on which his death occurred, he had risen, as usual,
and rested in his old flag bottomed chair, the relict of half a century;
he had employed himself in reading Tully’s offices in Latin.

While thus engaged, his family physician called to see him. On feeling
his pulse, he found that it had ceased to beat. A draught of wine and water
quickened it into life, however, again, and being placed and supported
on the bed, he continued reading, until the lamp of life, in a moment
of which his friends were ignorant, was extinguished.

"Of no distemper, of no blast he died,
But fell like autumn fruit that mellowed long,
E’en wonder’d at because he falls no sooner.
Fate seem’d to wind him up for fourscore years,
Yet freshly ran he on twelve winters more:
Till, like a clock worn out with eating time,
The wheels of weary life at last stood still"
In the character of Mr. Ellery there was much to admire. He was, indeed,
thought by some to have been too tenacious of his opinion, and not always
free from asperity to others. But years mellowed down these unpleasant
traits of his character, and showed that he had exercised a watchfulness
over himself, not entirely in vain. He manifested an uncommon disregard
of the applause of men. It was often upon his lips: "humility rather than
pride becomes such creatures as we are." He looked upon the world and its
convulsions with religious serenity, and in times of public danger, and
of public difficulty, he comforted himself and others, with the pious reflection
of the psalmist, " The Lord reigneth."

In conversation, Mr. Ellery was at once interesting and instructive.
His advice was often sought, and his opinions regarded with great reverence.
In letter writing he excelled, as he did in fine penmanship, which latter
would be inferred from his signature to the declaration of independence.
In stature, he was of middling height, and carried in his person the indications
of a sound frame and an easy mind. In the courtesies of life, he kept pace
with the improvements of the age; but his conversation. and dress, and
habits of life, plainly showed that he belonged to a more primitive generation.

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